PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In leading up to the first ever NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh, we take a look at the 50 best Steelers draft picks.
It’s a list that includes Pro Football Hall of Famers, Hall of Honor members, players drafted since 1969 that contributed to 43 winning seasons and six Super Bowl titles over that time.
Today is number 25 with a few ground rules-its only players drafted by the Steelers, the list does not include those who were drafted by someone else and starred with the Steelers. It also does not include undrafted players.
The rankings are based on what they’ve done with the Steelers and not what they may have done after leaving Pittsburgh. Those eligible for this list are players drafted starting with Chuck Noll’s first season.
25. Joey Porter (3rd round, 1999, Colorado State)
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- Steelers Hall of Honor
- Emotional leader of Super Bowl XL Team, leading the 1st ever team to win as a Wild Card
- 7th all-time in Steelers sacks (60)
- 6th all-time in Steelers tackles for loss (75)
- 5th all-time in Steelers forced fumbles (18)
- 3 time All-Pro
- 2.5 sacks in 2005 playoffs, 6 sacks all-time in 11 playoff games
- Sack in first career NFL game (strip sack against Browns)
- Strip sack of Neil O’Donnell returned 46 yards for TD v. Tenn
- 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 8 tackles in 2004 win over New England
Previously mentioned—50. Larry Foote, 49. Willie Gay, 48. John Jackson, 47. Mike Merriweather, 46. Brett Keisel, 45. Deshea Townsend, 44. Robin Cole, 43. Tunch Ilkin, 42. Levon Kirkland, 41. Carnell Lake, 40. Darren Perry, 39. Ernie Holmes, 38. Larry Brown, 37. Louis Lipps, 36. Kordell Stewart, 35. Lawrence Timmons, 34. Dwayne Woodruff, 33. Jon Kolb, 32. LaMarr Woodley, 31. Jason Gildon, 30. David DeCastro, 29. LeVeon Bell, 28. Ike Taylor, 27. Aaron Smith, 26. Dwight White
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
